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2020
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Wildlife Photography & Conservation Awareness
Coordinator | Natalie
Coordinator | Natalie
Highlights
Develop your wildlife photography skills in a living, transformative environment.
Gain an understanding of a unique coastal rainforest ecosystem in one of the most biodiverse countries in the world.
Visit an incredibly jaguar-dense area and one of the only locations in the world where jaguars are known to prey on adult sea turtles.
Learning more about bird species, sea turtles, monkeys, reptiles, and amphibians.
Explore nearby parks and take part in adventure activities during your free time.
Join our international team in the Costa Rican jungle to learn about conservation and capture unique species on film.
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Develop your wildlife photography skills in a Costa Rican jungle environment. Gain an in-depth understanding into the ecology and unique species, like jaguars and green sea turtles, that call Tortuguero National Park their home. At the same time you will be contributing to their preservation. Field work includes walking the the protected beaches looking for signs of turtles and jaguars, traveling on canoe through the foliage-draped canals spotting aquatic bird species, and, if you are lucky, a manatee in the water below, or trekking through the jungle spotting and noting everything from howler monkeys, sloths, tamanduas anteaters, and toucans. Don’t forget to pack your camera. Some patrols are conducted in the morning or at night, which means you could experience spectacular sunsets and sunrises over the Caribbean sea. All conservation work is done at the invitation and in partnership with leading local and international conservation organisations like the Costa Rican Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Telecommunications, Panthera, Coastal Jaguar Conservation, and the Sea Turtle Conservancy.
Sloth Sanctuary
Monkey Conservation
Jaguar Conservation
Sea Turtle Conservation
Manatee
Toucan
Two-toed Sloth
Photography Internship
National Park
Howler Monkey
Pantanal Jaguar
Three-toed Sloth
Giant Anteater
Green Sea Turtle
Typical day
You will be waking up at about 5 or 6 AM with the first survey running from 6 AM until 10 AM. After this you will be having lunch and then your second survey for the day runs from about 1 PM until 4 PM. Then you will be having dinner together and are off to bed by about 9 PM. However, if you are participating in one of our nighttime turtle patrols, you will be busy until about 2 AM (during the Leatherback season) and until 1 AM during the green turtle season - of course then you will have the morning off on the next day. You will be going out on two surveys a day, except for Friday afternoons and Saturdays which is your free time. Once a week you will be on kitchen duty and cook a delicious meal for the other participants.
You will be getting training on all species and surveys! We have four general projects that you will get training in:
1. Forest Biodiversity: Tropical species surveying and identification techniques which will be comprised of surveys in the forest focusing on the whole biodiversity of the area (amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles). Data recording and Input, volunteers will assist in inputting the data collected on surveys into the projects databases (all year, during turtle season less surveys on this)
2. Canal Birds: Canal bird population and distribution studies carried out on a canal.
3.Jaguars feeding behaviour and population studies including a 15 mile survey on the beach (once a week) to monitor the number of predated sea turtles and the use of camera traps to ID jaguars and monitor their feeding patterns. Seasonal Feb to Nov. Also scats (faeces) gathering in order to study and genetic studies.
4.Marine turtle (seasonal end of march to October) conservation using a international protocol to ID nesting greens, leatherbacks (March to June) and some hawksbills.
Free-time activities
You will be based at the research station within the National Park, located 1 hour by motorboat from the nearest town of Tortuguero, and working on the surrounding canals, rivers, forest, beaches and in the nearby communities. Travel around the local area is limited and dependent on expedition staff and water taxi services. Due to the remoteness of base, we offer a long weekend (3 free days) every 4 weeks, so people can travel around Costa Rica at the start of project or once a month, be sure to budget for it if you would like to visit more places in Costa Rica. Likewise, there is a close by restaurant, and volunteers have the option of ordering fried chicken and sodas every Friday at your own expense, cost is between 6 to 10USD. Before and after your program you could explore the rest of Costa Rica, or travel onwards throughout Latin America. Buses are cheap but basic, and regional flights are relatively affordable. With so much culture and adventure it's sometimes hard to know where to start – the possibilities are endless! Travelling around the region is possible by bus with connecting services from Caño Blanco to cities across the country. It is useful to know that street addresses are not really used or known in Costa Rica - landmarks are used instead. For example, to get to Hostel Casa Colon ask to go “En contraesquina de Torre Mercedes” (translated: "across the street from Torre Mercedes).
Water Sports
Swimming
Climbing
Hiking
Sports
Requirements
In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.
You need to speak English (basic level)
required
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
What's Included
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 24-hour emergency phone
- 24-hour in-country support
- Access to Alumni Services and Discounts
- Airport pick-up (unless otherwise stated)
- All necessary project equipment and materials
- All necessary project training by experienced staff
- Location orientation
- Long term experienced staff
- Meals while on project (except on work placements for long term internships)
- Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
- Welcome meeting
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- Additional drinks and gratuities
- Extra local excursions
- Flights
- International and domestic airport taxes
- Medical and travel insurance
- Personal items and toiletries
- Police or background check
- Visa costs (where necessary)
Most volunteers arrange international flights to arrive at Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose (IATA code: SJO) at least one day before the expedition starts. Airport pick-ups can be arranged from 06:00 PM - 10:00 PM the day before your program start date, please request this from the GVI office. If you arrive outside of the pick-up time or arriving in San Jose by other means, will be responsible for their own transportation. Official airport taxis are orange, and cost approx US$22 to the hostel. Alternatively, you can get a bus from outside the airport (approx. US$1, every 20-30mins).
Accommodation is in shared (mixed sex) dorms with shared bathroom facilities at the field station. There is running water available for washing and cooking, with suitable water for drinking and brushing teeth. Supplies are limited and usage may be restricted when necessary. Bucket-flush toilet facilities are available, and participants share responsibility for base duties, including cooking, cleaning, and other chores.
Dorm Room
Volunteers take it in turns to prepare meals for the group. Food is very basic and mostly vegetarian, with meat rarely available. Breakfast could be porridge or occasionally pancakes, typical lunches and evening meals may include lentils, chicpeas, pasta, beans, or rice, with vegetables. Fresh fruit is provided each afternoon.
Limited access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
The nearest airport is Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose. We assist you to find cheap flights to Costa Rica.
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Costa Rica provides security and is a plus to have.
If you are intending to volunteer in Costa Rica you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Costa Rica.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Details on arrival
- 2020
- 11 Jan 202025 Jan 202008 Feb 202022 Feb 202007 Mar 202021 Mar 202004 Apr 202018 Apr 202002 May 202016 May 202030 May 202013 Jun 202027 Jun 202011 Jul 202025 Jul 202008 Aug 202022 Aug 202005 Sep 202019 Sep 202003 Oct 202017 Oct 202031 Oct 202014 Nov 202028 Nov 2020
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
2 - 12 weeks
Program fees
2 weeks
(min. stay)
€1,945 ($2,178)
4 weeks
€2,595 ($2,906)
6 weeks
€3,275 ($3,668)
8 weeks
€3,955 ($4,430)
10 weeks
€4,635 ($5,191)
12 weeks
(max. stay)
€5,315 ($5,953)
Average fees
€708 ($793)
/week
Please note that the above shown program fees are estimated and subject to exchange rate fluctuations.
Global Vision International (GVI)
will let you know about the final price during your application process.
The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.
Your final payment will be agreed with Global Vision International (GVI) during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
Why book with Volunteer World
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application process
- including all necessary payments. Planning your next meaningful trip with Volunteer World gives you free access to our:
Quality Assurance
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Change your reservation at no extra costs
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Our services are free of charge!
All program fees are charged directly by Global Vision International (GVI).
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Wildlife Photography & Conservation Awareness
Join our international team in the Costa Rican jungle to learn about conservation and capture unique species on film.
$708/week
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